16 Healing at the Pool

John 5:1-15, TBC Book Two, Chapter 16
Two thousand years ago, when Jesus walked this earth, those who were lame or paralyzed or suffering from disease held little or no hope that they would get well. There were some doctors who were trained scholars, but their knowledge was limited. The best that most of these people could hope for was a miracle.

It was said that a certain pool in Jerusalem held miraculous power to bring healing. The pool near the Sheep Gate was called Bethesda, meaning “place of mercy.” At times the water would suddenly stir up, and the people believed that if you were the first one in the water after it stirred, you would be healed. 

Many who were disabled would lie in the shade of a porch, hoping the water would stir. And if it did stir, everyone wanted to be the first to reach the water. One man had been coming with that hope for 38 years.

One Sabbath when Jesus was in Jerusalem for a feast, he walked to the pool and saw all the people who were lying near the water. He noticed a man who was partially paralyzed. Then he walked toward him. . . .

(See THE BIBLE CLICKS, Book Two, Chapter 16, for the rest of the story.)​

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Today’s Takeaways
     A proverb to guide you: Lovingkindness is not breaking the Law of God—it is fulfilling it!
     A promise to cling to: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16 NIV
     A praise to fill you: People Need the Lord  Steve Green     [Can skip ad after first 5 seconds] 

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